Now is a moment of disruption—disruption across the field. An extended, painful disruption that I think we all hope has positioned us for change. As a path to reopening develops, and as, every day, we see more commitments to emerge as better versions of ourselves and our institutions, I have decided to try to draw inspiration from the disruption.
In this issue of SDC Journal, I read about those who have inspired you and see connecting threads among these essays, the inspiration, and the inspired. While distinct with the unique experiences of individual artists, many of those threads seem to create a tapestry woven by theatre artists who advance the form—and, through that, our culture—through disruption of norms, large and small. By pushing the boundaries of the work, by asking other artists to push themselves, new ways of working emerge. An early-career dancer blends their aesthetic with the vision of a choreographer in the center of their career. A director at the height of their career finds inspiration from a mid-career artist and begins to consider new ways of working. This issue is a powerful representation of the struggles and hopes of the Membership, and is a loud and clear call for the Membership to step forward and lead. Whenever and wherever you are in a position to lead—you must.
This Spring/Summer 2021 issue of SDC Journal will be digital only, but through the magic of our online publication platform, ISSUU, we hope you will enjoy hearing from your colleagues, both those you know and those new to you.
A few weeks ago, I was interviewed for the America’s Work Force Union Podcast. I always enjoy talking with labor leaders about representing you. It is often the first time many have stopped to consider the “work” you do. I get to break it down, talk about what you do and how to find your work in what they see on stage, and why your work requires protections. I talked with Ed “Flash” Ferenc about SDC’s expansion efforts, paused because of the pandemic, which will be ever more important as we get back to work. I bragged about our organizing effort for fight choreographers, touching on the craft and how, while it has been with us for a very long time, it has been under-recognized. And, of course, returning to work was also discussed. I found myself saying to him, of you, “They’re hopeful, creative, driven, tenacious, ambitious workers. We’re going to get back to work.”
As you are getting vaccinated and thinking about getting back to work, we know that many of you are looking for resources. We are here, even with reduced capacity of staff. Our eye is on getting you back into rehearsal halls and ensuring that the hard-earned advances in protections and wages we have previously achieved are not eroded. You have been largely unemployed for more than 14 months, and for many it will be longer still. You must be paid when you get back to work. We are also here working with many of you to press upon employers their responsibility to provide a workplace that is safe—safe from both discrimination and harassment and from COVID-19. Within the theatre ecosystem, we are in constant conversation about the absolute need to address workplace culture. With you, employers, and your collaborators, we are all in.
In Solidarity, now more than ever,
Laura Penn
Executive Director